Different biological characteristics of different prostatic zonal primary stromal cells and cancer associated stromal cells,as well as their different effects on prostate cancer cell line C4-2B

Abstract

Objective To compare the different biological characteristics of normal prostatic peripheral zonal primary stromal cells (normal prostatic peripheral fibroblasts,NPPF),transition zonal primary stromal cells (normal prostatic transitional fibroblasts,NPTF) and prostate cancer associated primary stromal cells (cancer associated fibroblasts,CAF),as well as their different effects on prostate cancer cell line C4-2B.Methods HE staining was done to identify the different histological characteristics of prostatic different zonal tissue and cancer tissue.NPPF,NPTF and CAF were primarily cultured,and the expression of Vimentin,smooth muscle actin (SMA) and prostatic specific antigen (PSA) was detected by using immunocytochemistry.Their proliferation was compared by growth curves,apoptosis rate by flow cytometry (FCM),and cellular ultrastructure by transmission electron microscopy.The co-culture system of primary stromal cells and C4-2B cells were established,and the changes in proliferation and apoptosis of C4-2B cells affected by different stromal cell subsets were compared.Results There was significant difference in proliferation,apoptosis,ultrastructure among NPPF,NPTF and CAF,and their biological effects on C4-2B cells.Growth rate of NPPF,NPTF and CAF was increased in turn,but their apoptosis decreased in turn [9.25 ± 2.24)%,(5.98 ± 0.74)%,(2.63 ± 0.96)%,respectively].Transmission electron microscopy suggested that CAF had the most productive protein synthesis.After C4-2B cells were co-cultured with the prostate stromal cell subsets,proliferation was increased,but apoptosis was decreased.Methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay showed that the absorbance in C4-2B cells after co-culture with NPPF,NPTF and CAF for 2 and 4 days was 0.540,0.471,0.632,and 0.554,0.488,0.670,respectively,P ＜0.05.FCM revealed that as compared with the control group (10.32 ±0.43)%,CAF had the strongest capability to inhibit the apoptosis of C4-2B cells (3.36±0.17)%,followed by NPPF (5.97 ±0.70)% and NPTF (8.01 ±0.22)%.Conclusion There are significantly different biological characteristics among NPPF,NPTF,CAF,which may be the main reason leading to the genesis and development of bengin prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer. Key words: Prostate cancer; Tansitional zone; Stromal cell; Coculture